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rise of 59% while the population declined by about 0.2%. Among the most prevalent diseases are scarlet fever (16.0 cases per 10,000 inhabitants in 1970), infectious hepatitis (10.9 cases per 10,000 in 1970), active respiratory tuberculosis (5.1 cases per 10,000 in 1969), salmonella food poisoning (3.2 cases per 10,000 in 1970), and dysentery (3.0 cases per 10,000 in 1970). In addition, the number of newly reported cases of all types of cancer has risen steadily from 39,700 in 1955 to 60,100 (or 35.2 cases per 10,000 inhabitants) in 1970. The leading causes of death in 1969 were circulatory ailments (64.7 deaths per 10,000 inhabitants), malignant neoplasms (22.0 deaths per 10,000 inhabitants), and cerebrovascular ailments (9.6 deaths per 10,000 inhabitants).

Hygiene and epidemic control is exercised by the Ministry for Health's State Hygiene Inspectorate, with subordinate inspectorates in each of the 15 districts (Bezirke) which control lower level inspectorates in the 218 counties (Kriese). In the last 15 years the medical service has virtually eliminated or drastically reduced the incidence of typhoid and paratyphoid fevers, diphtheria, poliomyelitis, active tuberculosis, and syphilis. At the same time, however, it has been unable to do much with other diseases, such as amebiasis, shigellosis, scarlet fever, salmonellosis, viral encephalitis, influenza, infectious hepatitis, and gonorrhea. In 1962 and 1964 there were serious epidemics of amebiasis and shigellosis. There have also been serious outbreaks of influenza, scarlet fever, and hepatitis.

3. Pharmaceuticals

There are recurrent shortages of pharmaceuticals. Although many drugs are manufactured locally and are up to world standards, the population generally suspects the quality and effectiveness of some East German-produced pharmaceuticals, and prefers Western-produced products when available. Importation of Western pharmaceuticals has long been discouraged, although some continue to be received. For example, West German church organizations have sent pharmaceuticals in exchange for the release of prisoners in East Germany, and some have been sent through private mailings.

4. Environment, diet, and sanitation

There are few environmental factors adversely affecting health in East Germany. The temperate climate and usually adequate rainfall favor healthful living. Toxic plants include mushrooms and other fungi. The two poisonous reptiles of note in East Germany are the European Asp (Vipera aspis), found in the southern part of the country, and the Common European Viper or Common Cross Adder (V. berus berus), commonly known as the Kreuzotter, found countrywide. Troublesome insects include types of mosquitoes, flies, lice, fleas, ticks, and mites.

The level of nutrition is generally satisfactory. Cereals and potatoes provide the major part of daily caloric intake; consumption of meat and dairy products is low by Western European standards but high by Eastern European standards. Inadequate food supplies during the unusually difficult winter of 1962-63 reportedly resulted in cases of malnutrition in some urban areas, but this exceptional situation has not been repeated. Diets are presumed to be adequate on the basis of the generally satisfactory level of health of the population.

Water supplies, though quantitatively adequate, are for the most part qualitatively poor except in important urban areas. Treatment of urban water supplies was begun in the 1950's, and several cities fluoridate drinking water. Because nearly all ground water in the northern plains contains iron and frequently manganese and hydrogen sulfide, water from individual wells is often unpalatable. Also, the construction and location of wells frequently subjects the water to contamination. Food sanitation is poor by West German standards and has been the primary cause of the high incidence of amellosis, shigellosis, salmonellosis, and other forms of food poisoning. Deficient sewerage systems and poor sanitation practices exist in some areas, even in the vicinity of large cities. Waste is seldom treated. Night soil is used as fertilizer in rural areas.

The government maintains a network of health offices, veterinary clinics, and service stations to combat livestock diseases. Although the authorities are

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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110024-7